Grover C. Smart

Increased crop yields following application of Bacillus penetrans to field plots infested with Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract We found Bacillus penetrans to be pathogenic to Meloidogyne incognita under field conditions. B. penetrans was added to the soil of field plots into which tobacco, soybeans or winter vetch were planted in sequence during 1981 and 1982. Tobacco and winter vetch (1981 and 1982) and soybeans in 1982 showed trends of increasing yields with decreasing pathogenicity of M. incognita . There was insufficient evidence to enable one to declare a similar trend for soybeans in 1981. B. penetrans reduced yield losses caused by M. incognita 23% for tobacco 1981, 38% for winter vetch 1981, 24% for tobacco 1982, 35% for soybeans 1982 and 55% for winter vetch 1982.

Scanning Electron Microscope Studies of Steinernema Glaseri (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) 1

Scanning electron micrographs are presented of Steinernema glaseri. The male head of S. glaseri is slightly swollen and bears six labial and four large cephalic papillae. There are 11 pairs of genital papillae plus a single papilla. The spicule is unique with a short head, distinct shaft, long and narrow blade, and a spicule tip which has a ventral aperture and appears hook-like. A velum was not observed. The gubernaculum is much shorter than the spicule, with the anterior end curved ventrally, and enlarged gradually posteriorly. Usually, the capitulum and cuneus are forked anteriorly to form a Y-shaped structure. The female head has six labial and four cephalic papillae, and the vulva may be with or without a thickened flap. The lateral field pattern of the infective juvenile begins anteriorly with one incisure which after a short distance becomes three, six, seven and nine incisures which create two, five, six and eight ridges, respectively. At about the level of the phasmids, the number of ridges gradually decreases to two broad ridges.

Scanning Electron Microscope Studies of Spicules and Gubernacula of Steinernema Spp. (Nemata: Steinernematidae) 1 )

Spicules and gubernacula of Steinernema species were dissected out and observed under a scanning electron microcope (SEM), showing that morphological characteristics of these structures can be used for species differentiation. This paper describes and presents SEM micrographs of spicules and gubernacula of 11 species of Steinernema and shows how they can be used to recognize species. The species discussed are S. affine, S. anomalae, S. bicornutum, S. carpocapsae, S. feltiae, S. glaseri, S. intermedium, S. kraussei, S. kushidai, S. longicaudum, S. neocurtillae, S. puertoricense, S. riobrave, S. scapterisci.

A Polyethylene Bottle Applicator for Sealing Microscope Coverglasses With a Slide Ringing Compound 1)

A technique is described for sealing microscope coverglasses with the slide ringing compound, Zut, using a polyethylene bottle applicator. The technique provides fast, effective and uniform seals.